Caravan Parks are seen as a key industry within the C&I sector with the potential to achieve significant savings both environmentally and economically through increased resource recovery. Midwaste will work with caravan park operators across the Mid North Coast over the next few years to support interested parks to achieve these savings.

Milestone 4 from the Midwaste Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2007-2008 was to develop a model for recycling in caravan parks. The project outline was to select a number of caravan parks within Port Macquarie Hastings region (through an Expression of Interest process) and work with them to:

• Increase resource recovery rates
• Provide education on waste minimization and recycling
• Provide opportunities for visitors to the area to recycle and
• Reduce cost

This Trial has been completed.

Read the Report and Case studies for Laurieton Gardens Caravan Resort and Diamond Waters Caravan Park.

In 2003, as a logical first step, MIDWASTE carried out a Community survey of the region with the aim to gain knowledge in relation to the community's perception of current waste services and community priorities for waste management (including waste minimisation and resource recovery opportunities). The information that was collected by this survey process (eg residents opinions on the use of a recycling service) has provided a sound basis for current and future Midwaste programs, particularly those related to community education. To view the survey click here.

In order to gain an ongoing understanding of community feeling, Midwaste have decided to conduct a Community Attitudes survey on a regular basis. The last survey was completed in 2007 by Micromex Research. To view the survey, click here.

The next Community Survey is programmed to be completed during the 2010/2011 financial year.

Midwaste Trial - an Award Winner

2004 Tidy Towns Waste Minimisation Award won by Hastings Council Domestic Organics Recovery Trial.

In 2003 a four-month trial was carried out in the Hastings area to test three systems designed to increase the capture of organic waste (particularly organic foodwaste). The systems included a weekly organics collection, use of compostable bags and a modified MGB (Bio-insert bin).

The outcomes of the trial were very clear with weekly collection and compostable paper bags the most successful. These results provide valuable direction for the region - and 1.63 tonnes of organic foodwaste was diverted from landfill as a result of the trial.

There is potential using the optimal trial systems to divert from landfill an additional 273.30 tonnes of organic foodwaste and 2238.01 tonnes of organic waste per year from the Hastings area alone.

Visit the Tidy Towns / Keep Australia Beautiful website